Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik Should Retire: Ramiz Raja
Veteran Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez might be going strong in international cricket but former captain Ramiz Raja believes that both the players should bring down curtains on their career. Hafeez and Malik are currently the most experienced players not only in Pakistan team but also in international cricket.
Both of them have retired from Tests already while Malik also ended his ODI career after the World Cup last year. On the other hand, Hafeez has made himself available for selection in both ODIsas well as T20I teams. Both the players were dropped from the team after the World Cup but were recalled earlier this year for the home T20I series against Bangladesh.
Age is definitely not on their side but Hafeez, 39 and Malik, 38, have insisted they still have plenty of cricket left in them to represent Pakistan in the World T20 Cup later this year in Australia. Recently, Hafeez has said that he will retire from all international cricket after the mega T20 event. On the other hand, Malik remains tight lipped on his future in international cricket.
And while only time will tell how long the veteran play international cricket, Ramiz Raja feels their time is up. He has advised both the players to take retirement from international cricket.
“They should leave international cricket with respect and gracefully,” Ramiz Raja said on Monday about the two former captains.
Talking to the media in a video conference, Ramiz Raja said he avoids making personal comments on a player.
“I come across both during my assignments that is why I avoid making personal comments. There is no doubt both have served Pakistan cricket well all these years. But now I think it is time they gracefully retired from the Pakistan team,” he said.
“I think if they retire now it will help Pakistan cricket. We have a good pool of players and we must move ahead,” he added.
